Nikola Jokic delivered his fourth consecutive triple-double and league-leading 19th of the season, propelling the Denver Nuggets to a dominant 144-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. The reigning MVP tallied 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists—all in just three quarters—before sitting out the final period.
Jokic’s Take
“I feel I’m playing the best basketball of my life,” Jokic told TNT, though he acknowledged the defending champions are still searching for consistency.
“We’re not where we’re supposed to be. We’re trying to find the rhythm.”
The Nuggets benefited from a balanced offensive effort, with six players scoring in double figures. Rookie Julian Strawther added 23 points off the bench, while Aaron Gordon contributed 19 points.
Philadelphia, playing without injured star Joel Embiid, struggled to keep pace as Denver cruised to a statement victory.
LeBron James Leads Lakers to Big Win Over Wizards
LeBron James posted his ninth triple-double of the season, scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 111-88 rout of the Washington Wizards.
The 40-year-old James joined Karl Malone as the only players in NBA history to record a triple-double after turning 40. Anthony Davis added 29 points and 16 rebounds as the Lakers overwhelmed the league-worst Wizards.
Knicks Edge Nets in Cross-Town Thriller
The New York Knicks survived a late scare to beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-95. After squandering a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, the Knicks regrouped in the final minutes, with Jalen Brunson scoring eight of his 17 points in the closing moments.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while OG Anunoby chipped in 20 points. The Nets, led by D’Angelo Russell’s 23 points, briefly took a 90-89 lead before Brunson’s late heroics sealed the win.
Raptors Rally Past Magic
The Toronto Raptors overcame an early 21-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 109-93. RJ Barrett scored 19 points, and Scottie Barnes contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. A dominant 40-20 third quarter helped the Raptors take control.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but the Magic suffered their fourth straight loss.
Trail Blazers Top Heat in Miami
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Miami Heat 116-107, with Anfernee Simons scoring 24 points and Deandre Ayton adding 22 points and 15 rebounds. Seven Blazers players scored in double figures in a high-energy team effort.
Miami, missing leading scorer Tyler Herro, struggled offensively, enduring a stretch of 19 consecutive missed three-pointers. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a fourth loss in five games.
Other Key Performances
- Jokic secured his 13th triple-double of the season by the third quarter alone.
- LeBron James became the second player aged 40 or older to achieve a triple-double.
- The Raptors’ comeback victory showcased their resilience, outscoring the Magic 40-20 in the third quarter.
Tuesday’s action highlighted dominant performances and critical wins across the league as teams build momentum heading into the midseason stretch.
